Regulus Black sat alone at the Slytherin table in the great hall enjoying Tolstoy and a perfectly melty grilled cheese sandwich. For the first time in a long time he felt relaxed and in control of himself and his emotions. He smiled to himself, immensely thankful not to have to spend this particular holiday at Number 12. Internally, he debated the idea of going to go wish his brother a belated Merry Christmas. Normally he wouldn't have hesitated for a second to spend a mere moment with Sirius, but there was the issue of James Potter's constant presence around him. He let out a frustrated sigh and returned to War and Peace.

Regulus shot James a look, clearly sick of all the pureblood assumptions. "I think a person's power comes from within. Doesn't matter if you can trace your blood back to Merlin himself. I prefer to pick my fights with specific people rather than just generalize a whole group. It's stupid and I refuse to sink to that level."